Program update
Thank you so much for your generous support for the work Matthew House and the people we serve.
I wanted to provide a quick update as to where things are at with Matthew House Ottawa and our programs amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Furniture Bank
Demand remains strong for our furniture bank services, and we have recently been able to increase the number of households furnished from 8 to 10 per week, thanks to a small contingent of 8 committed volunteers and staff (down from over 40 in normal times). Safety measures are in place with lots of face masks, hand sanitizer and gloves available for clients and volunteers.
Our inventory is very healthy thanks to a MASSIVE donation from IKEA last month valued at over $250,000, as well as the fact that furniture pickups increased considerably in June both in number and volume (more than 50 this month). Furniture drop offs are being accepted by appointment only, and we currently have capacity to accept eight drop-offs on Monday and Wednesday. If you have gently-used furniture you no longer need, please give us a call at 613-591-6681 to discuss options for a safe drop off or pick up.
Our goal during this crisis continues to be to furnish the homes of the most vulnerable families who are in dire need of furniture essentials, and we are always grateful to receive unsolicited feedback from happy clients: "A very big thank you to everyone at the Furniture Bank who in one way or the other contributed to my supplied furniture: the coordinator, the volunteers and others. Thank you Thank you Thank you, I really appreciate. God bless you all and God bless CANADA.......Yetunde."
And happy donors too!: "Your team was awesome today. Thank you for making sure it got done and I will be telling my network to donate to your organization. It was a great experience! Thanks again & stay safe. Christina"
For some further encouragement for the work you are making possible please read this recent story about Arao, who has been a client, volunteer and now staff of our furniture bank.
Refugee Services
The big news in our refugee services program is we now have access to a mobile testing unit for pre-intake COVID tests, and we have been able to begin accepting new residents at the house again: In June we welcomed 3 new residents! We are grateful that we can continue welcoming refugees, even during the pandemic. Thankfully, our residents and staff are following public health guidelines and have remained healthy.
We miss our volunteers greatly, but we really appreciate the many ways that our community of supporters continue to help, including food delivery for 12 dinners this month. Residents are taking a very active part in cleaning both inside and outside, and also in cooking meals for each other.
In recognition of World Refugee Day we shared this moving story from Francine*, one of the refugees we welcomed at Matthew House Ottawa last year. I encourage you to read it, as it provides a good example of the impact that you are helping to make possible in the lives of the people we serve.
How can I help?
We have continue to experience a reduction in income from our refugee services and furniture bank programs due to the COVID-19 crisis. But thankfully these losses have so far been offset by the ongoing generosity of our donors and several grants.
If you are keen to help make the work of Matthew House Ottawa possible, here are a few things you can consider:
Become a monthly donor: If you are open to it, please consider setting up a monthly donation to support our programs. The consistent support from our monthly donors has been a HUGE help during this time, and we would encourage you to give in this way if you are able. You can set up a monthly donation here – just click “donate monthly” tab at the top of the page. Call me if you have any questions: 613-591-6681 x3502.
Furniture Bank: If you have gently-used furniture you no longer need, please give us a call at 613-591-6681 to discuss options for a safe drop off or pick up. And be sure to let your friends and family know about our furniture bank.
Refugee Services: If you want to support our refugee services program at this time, please be in touch with Doreen at 613-591-6681 x3501 or dkatto@matthewhouseottawa.org. We welcome donations of grocery cards, groceries and frozen meals to help feed the refugees we have welcomed at the house, though we ask that you please contact Doreen in advance to make arrangements.
Donations: you are also welcome to make an additional one time gift here, which will help us through this challenging time.
Ride for Refuge: This year's ride will look a bit different given the pandemic, but I encourage you to put in a team and walk or ride to support the work of Matthew House Ottawa.
Thank you
Thanks again for your interest in the work of Matthew House Ottawa. I am so grateful!
May God bless you and keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy. This continues to be an unusual and unsettling time, but we will get through it. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions: 613-591-6681 x3502 or arm@matthewhouseottawa.org.
Sincerely,
Allan
Allan Reesor-McDowell
Executive Director
Matthew House Ottawa